Method of and apparatus for the bottom-up filling of beverage containers

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus are disclosed for filling specially-designed beverage containers from the bottom through a one-way port. One embodiment of the invention employs an umbrella valve ( 19 ) mounted in a perforated stopper ( 18 ), which is interference-fitted into the bottom of a beverage container ( 11 ). When brought into contact with concentric o-ring seals ( 12,17 ) on a fluid delivery assembly ( 13 ), vacuum suction ( 14, 16 ) fixtures the beverage container ( 11 ) down to the fluid delivery assembly ( 13 ), creating a liquid-tight channel for fluids to be fed through. Fluids originate in a pressurized reservoir and are fed through a fluid feed-in ( 15 ), forcing the umbrella valve ( 19 ) open and allowing flow of fluid into the interior volume ( 20 ) of the beverage container. Upon completion of filling, the reservoir is depressurized, allowing the umbrella valve ( 19 ) to snap shut. The beverage container ( 11 ) can now be decoupled from the fluid delivery assembly ( 13 ) and employed as desired. Other embodiments are described and shown.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent applicationNo. 60/895,474, filed 18 Mar. 2007 by the present inventors, fullyincorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to beverage service equipment. Specifically, thisinvention relates to beverage containers designed to allow fluids to beintroduced through the bottom of the beverage container rather thanthrough the main opening (mouth) of the beverage container, and to theassociated interfacing and fluid-feeding hardware.

BACKGROUND

Conventional methods of dispensing and serving beverages havehistorically relied on the introduction of liquids through a mainopening (mouth) in the top of the container, above the plane of the freesurface of the full liquid volume. As beverage service has become morespecialized, shortcomings in traditional methods of beverage dispensinghave become apparent.

In retail and foodservice settings, beverage dispensing hardware hasbecome ubiquitous. Traditional soda fountain machines occupy aconsiderable amount of countertop area, and usually occupy a highvertical profile in order to accommodate internal plumbing and in orderto accommodate the full height of a cup under a fill nozzle. Goepfert(U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,566) addresses the issue of high-profile beveragedispensers by placing some of the hardware under a counter, but a largevertical profile is still required above the counter to accommodate theheight of a glass. Farkas (U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,171) similarly placescomponents under a countertop, but a tall profile remains above thecounter.

Other methods for eliminating large beverage hardware have beeninvented. A multitude of inventions, such as Reichenberger's (U.S. Pat.No. 4,162,028) and Kado's (U.S. Pat. 7,311,266) have centered ongun-based beverage dispensers. While these dispensers eliminatelarge-profile hardware from the bartop, the dispensing heads tend to befragile, droppable, and operable only by bartenders as opposed to by endconsumers.

As a result of the large space requirements and fragility of muchbeverage dispensing hardware, certain potential markets have beencompletely ruled out. For instance, beverage dispensers are notinstalled on cinema seat armrests due to the large physical bulk ofpresent beverage dispensing hardware.

Where conventional soda fountain and post-mix machines are not in use,considerable countertop and shelf space is often dedicated to thestorage of bottles instead. Regardless of the means, conventionalbeverage dispensing can be highly inefficient in its use of space.

The flow regimes of dispensing beverages into containers is likewise anarea of development. Certain beverages, especially carbonated beverages,benefit from specialized flow regimes during dispensing, either toencourage or mitigate the formation of froth.

For instance, some beverages suffer from an excess accumulation of frothupon dispensing into a conventional beverage container because ofturbulent mixing associated with a jet of liquid impinging on a freesurface. This shortcoming has been addressed by Younkle (U.S. Pat. No.7,040,359) simply by retrofitting an existing beverage dispenser;however, said apparatus must protrude into the dispensed beverage,causing potential sanitary issues and impeding access under the tap.Nelson (U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,909) also addresses froth formation, but hisdesign poses similar sanitary and access issues. For other types ofbeverages, froth is desired. Jamieson (U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,140)addresses controlled froth generation, but his approach requires a lidindependent of the beverage container, which in turn requires cleaning.

As beverage service has found new physical settings, conventionalhardware set has shown corresponding shortcomings. For instance,in-flight beverage service on airliners requires the flight attendant tohold a bottle above a cup steadily enough to prevent spillage, oftenwhile contending with a jerky ride. Nybakke et al. (U.S. Pat. No.6,234,364) propose several improvements, but the issue of relativeinertial motion between pouring container and cup still remainunresolved. Filling cups while standing in a moving aircraft requiresconsiderable skill and practice.

Mixing beverages requires the use of specific hardware, such as stirringsticks, spoons, and shakers. These methods of agitation increase thetotal number of implements necessary to prepare a mixed beverage, inaddition to generating trash or dirtying silverware. While priorinventions sought to address these shortcomings, these methods sufferfrom cross-contamination issues, excessive complexity, or requiring thata specialized piece of hardware be installed on a countertop. Daniels,Jr. (U.S. Pat. 6,527,433) discloses a beverage mixing apparatus whichnot only requires dedicated countertop space, but also which requirescleaning after each use to prevent cross-contamination. Bhavnani (USPatent 20060126431), Rubenstein (US Patent 20010036124), SchindleggerJr. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,911,504 and 5,720,522), Sampson (U.S. Pat. No.5,425,579), and Calhoun et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,084) all proposebeverage containers with integral moving agitators, which are subject towear, breakage, and difficulty in cleaning.

Cuthbertson et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,390) propose a gas based mixingscheme integrated into a mug. However, moving parts are again subject towear and difficulty in cleaning. Furthermore, manual pumping actuated onthe handle of a container may be difficult to achieve whilesimultaneously holding the beverage container and preventing spillage.

Previous inventions have incorporated means of outflow mitigation intobeverage containers, but none for the express purpose of filling thebeverage container. De Sole (U.S. Pat. No. 3,355,047) discloses a systemof outflow mitigation into the bottom of a baby bottle, but for thepurpose of pressure equalization in a closed volume. Likewise, Flinn(U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,353) discloses a water bottle fitted with a checkvalve at its bottom, for the purpose of pressure equalization and flowcontrol out of the bottle. Manganiello et al. disclose a similararrangement (U.S. Pat. No. 7,163,113 B2). Cuthbertson et al. (U.S. Pat.No. 6,471,390) include a poppet valve in a beverage container, but forthe purposes of preventing liquid uptake into an air-handling system. Amultitude of inventions include check valves on their lids for thepurposes of spill prevention: Manganiello (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,050,455 and6,422,415), Belcastro (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,890,620 and 6,276,560), and Bunnet al. (U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,759).

In conclusion, insofar as the inventors are aware, no system ofdispensing beverages formerly developed provides a method of fillingbeverage containers from the bottom up in order to prevent spillage,control the formation of froth, save countertop space, and facilitatemixing.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention address at least some of thedrawbacks set forth above. In one embodiment, the present inventioncomprises of two parts: a beverage container (especially a glass) withan open top, a hole or permeable material penetrating through the bottomor sidewall of the beverage container, and a means of outflow mitigation(usually a one-way valve); and a mating fluid delivery assembly, whichforms a seal to the beverage container and provides a pressurized flowof fluid which passes through the beverage container's hole or permeablechannel and fills the beverage container. The hole or permeable channelmay be engineered specifically to either promote or mitigate foaming.Embodiments of the present invention may provide a method of fillingbeverage containers from the bottom up in order to prevent spillage,control the formation of froth, save countertop space, and/or facilitatemixing.

The means of outflow mitigation of the beverage container may or may notbe a one-way valve, which allows flow into the bottom of the beveragecontainer, but not out of the bottom of the beverage container. One-wayvalves of the duckbill, umbrella, and poppet types are all examples ofsuitable means of outflow mitigation. If not a one-way valve, thebeverage container's valve must be both normally closed and actuablefrom the mated position; certain spring-loaded and mechanical valves maybe employed to such effect. In order to fill a beverage container withsuch a valve, the valve must be actuated open when filling is initiated.

In addition to forming a seal and providing a path for pressurizedfluid, the fluid delivery assembly may also incorporate an upstreamvalve mechanism, which is actuated in order to initiate filling. Thefluid delivery assembly can be fitted with an electrical valve mechanismfor electronic actuation, a mechanical valve mechanism for manualactuation, a pneumatic valve mechanism for pneumatic actuation, or anyother means of initiating pressurized fluid delivery. If the fluiddelivery assembly is not fitted with a valve mechanism, provisions mustbe made in the upstream fluid plumbing to modulate fluid flow on andoff.

As an alternative embodiment to a valve in the beverage container, thecontainer could incorporate a weir or perforated tube which accepts flowfrom the fluid delivery assembly beneath the beverage container anddispenses the liquid above the filled free surface height in thebeverage container. In this case, geometry mitigates outflow of fluidout of the weir and back out the bottom of the beverage container.

It is possible that the permeable material and the means of backflowprevention are achieved with the same, single piece of material. In thisembodiment, the beverage container includes a hole distinct from thebeverage container's mouth. The hole is filled with a fine porousmaterial, such as sintered stainless steel. With the porosity of thismaterial selected correctly, fluid coming from the fluid deliveryassembly can be pressurized sufficiently to flow through the permeablematerial; however, the small hydrostatic pressure of the fluid at thebottom of the beverage container is insufficient to allow appreciableflow back out the bottom of the beverage container.

As a means of mixing beverages contained in said beverage container,gas-phase fluids (such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide) can be introducedthrough the fluid delivery assembly, using bubble-induced turbulentmixing to stir beverage components together. By flowing gas bubblesthrough a beverage, more effective mixing can be effected than withconventional stirring hardware. In addition, the need for a clean ordisposable agitator is eliminated.

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent by reference to the remaining portions of thespecification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the beveragecontainer and the fluid delivery assembly, mated together and sealed toone another.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the assembly of FIGS. 1,3,4,5,6, and 7,mounted as intended in a countertop, and fitted with a bowl to catchspilled liquids.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the beveragecontainer and the fluid delivery assembly wherein an alternative type ofone-way valve is employed.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the beveragecontainer and the fluid delivery assembly wherein a perforated tube isemployed as a means of backflow prevention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the beveragecontainer and the fluid delivery assembly wherein a permeable orsemipermeable channel is employed as a means of backflow prevention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with thefluid delivery assembly in fluid communication with the beveragecontainer, and actively feeding fluid into the beverage container.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with thecheck valve in the bottom of the filled beverage container closed, andwith the beverage container decoupled from the fluid delivery assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION REFERENCE NUMERALS

11 beverage container

12 outer elastomeric o-ring seal

13 fluid delivery assembly main body

14 vacuum pressure feed-in

15 pressurized fluid feed-in

16 vacuum gage attachment point

17 inner elastomeric o-ring seal

18 perforated stopper with mount holes for an umbrella check valve,which hermetically mates with the beverage container through aninterference fit

19 umbrella check valve

20 interior volume of beverage container

25 beverage container mated to fluid delivery assembly, as installed ina countertop

26 fluid delivery assembly main body, as installed in a countertop

27 liquid leakage catch bowl

28 countertop

30 beverage container

31 fluid delivery assembly main body

32 pressurized fluid feed-in

33 sealing boss integral with fluid delivery assembly main body

34 elastomeric one-way duckbill valve

35 interior volume of beverage container

40 fluid delivery assembly main body

41 pressurized fluid feed-in

42 sealing boss integral with fluid delivery assembly main body

43 weir tube

44 beverage container

45 interior volume of beverage container

46 flow perforations at top of weir tube

51 beverage container

52 outer elastomeric o-ring seal

53 fluid delivery assembly main body

54 vacuum pressure feed-in or vacuum gage attachment point

55 pressurized fluid feed-in

56 vacuum pressure feed-in or vacuum gage attachment point

57 inner elastomeric o-ring seal

58 permeable solid which mates to the beverage container through aninterference fit

60 interior volume of beverage container

61 beverage container

62 outer elastomeric o-ring seal

63 fluid delivery assembly main body

64 vacuum pressure feed-in or vacuum gage attachment point

65 pressurized fluid feed-in

66 vacuum pressure feed-in or vacuum gage attachment point

67 inner elastomeric o-ring seal

68 perforated stopper with mount holes for an umbrella check valve,which hermetically mates with the beverage container through aninterference fit

69 umbrella check valve in the open position; fluid streamlines passunderneath said umbrella check valve

70 interior volume of beverage container

71 free surface of beverage

81 beverage container

82 outer elastomeric o-ring seal

83 fluid delivery assembly main body

84 vacuum pressure feed-in or vacuum gage attachment point

85 pressurized fluid feed-in

86 vacuum pressure feed-in or vacuum gage attachment point

87 inner elastomeric o-ring seal

88 perforated stopper with mount holes for an umbrella check valve,which hermetically mates with the beverage container through aninterference fit

89 umbrella check valve

90 interior volume of beverage container

91 free surface of beverage

Operation

All embodiments lend themselves to installation as depicted in FIG. 2,which generalizes a space-saving in-counter mounting scheme. A fluidinjector assembly (26) is attached to a flanged liquid leakage catchbowl (27). The catch bowl is recessed into a countertop (28). A beveragecontainer (25) is mated to the fluid delivery assembly (26) in order tofill it.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, an elastomeric umbrella valve (19) isfitted into a plastic stopper (18) with flow perforations. As assembled,the umbrella valve and perforated plastic stopper comprise an outflowmitigation device. The assembly of the umbrella valve and perforatedplastic stopper are interference-fitted into a hole in the base of thebeverage container (11), in order to form a liquid-tight seal betweenthe beverage container (11) and the perforated plastic stopper (18).

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, an elastomeric one-way duckbill valve (34)is interference-fitted directly into a hole in the base of the beveragecontainer (30), forming a liquid-tight seal. In the embodiment of FIG.4, an elastomeric perforated weir tube (43) is interference-fitteddirectly into a hole in the base of the beverage container (44), forminga liquid-tight seal. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a permeable orsemipermeable insert (58), such as sintered bronze or microporouspolymer, is interference-fitted directly into a hole in the base of thebeverage container (51), forming a substantially liquid-tight seal underthe hydrostatic pressures present at the bottom of the beveragecontainer when full.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, when the beverage container (11) is broughtinto contact with the mating fluid delivery assembly (13), a concentricplanar o-ring seal (12, 17) is engaged between the beverage containerand the fluid delivery assembly. Vacuum suction is supplied (14) and anelectronic vacuum sensor is attached (16). Mechanical pressure in theembodiment of FIG. 1 is developed in the space between the concentrico-ring seals (12, 17) as soon as vacuum suction is able to engage.Bringing the flat bottom of a beverage container into contact with theo-rings (12, 17) sucks the beverage container down firmly into place andregisters a pressure change on the electronic vacuum sensor. Theresulting electronic signal can be used to actuate an electronic fillvalve mechanism upstream of the fluid delivery assembly. The compressedinner o-ring (17) prevents leakage of the fluid which is to beintroduced.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, the compressed elastomeric faces ofthe respective backflow prevention devices (34, 43) against the faces ofintegral sealing bosses (33, 42) on the fluid delivery assemblies (31,40) prevent leakage of the fluid being introduced. In the embodiments ofFIGS. 3 and 4, gravity or sustained manual mechanical downforce by theuser is required in order to effect a reliable seal between the fluidinjector assembly and the beverage container. In the embodiment of FIG.5, concentric o-rings (52, 57) are employed to effect a seal between thefluid delivery assembly and the beverage container using vacuumpressure, in the same manner as the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Filling is initiated in one of two ways. If constantly-pressurized fluidis being delivered, a valve mechanism directly upstream of the fluiddelivery assembly is actuated open, allowing the constantly-pressurizedfluid to flow into the fluid delivery assembly (15, 32, 41, 55, 65, 85).If dynamically-pressurized fluid is being delivered, a fluid reservoirupstream of the fluid feed-in (15, 32, 41, 55, 65, 85) is pressurized inorder to initiate filling. In either case, pressurized fluidconsequently flows from the upstream reservoir and through the fluiddelivery assembly (13, 31, 40, 53, 63, 83). Because of the seal formedbetween the fluid delivery assembly and the beverage container, thefluid continues upward, through the beverage container's hole orpermeable surface, through its outflow mitigation device (18, 19, 34,43, 58, 68, 69, 88, 89), and into the beverage container's interiorvolume (20, 35, 45, 60, 70, 90), filling it.

While filling, embodiments employing a one-way valve are forced intofluid communication with the fluid delivery assembly by the inflowingfluid, as depicted in FIG. 6. Fluid flows into the beverage container'sinterior volume (70) through the open check valve (69). As long as thefeed pressure exceeds the hydrostatic head due to the free surfaceheight (71), filling will continue and the valve (69) will remain open.

Filling is stopped by either closing the valve upstream of the fluiddelivery assembly, by depressurizing the fluid reservoir, or, ifapplicable, by actuating the outflow mitigation device closed.

If the beverage container's valve is a one-way valve (19, 34, 69, 89),it will close automatically when flow from the fluid delivery assemblystops. If the beverage container uses a weir device (43) for outflowmitigation, outflow from the beverage container will be stemmedautomatically, by geometry. If the beverage container uses a permeablechannel for outflow mitigation (58), outflow from the beverage containerwill be stemmed automatically, by lack of differential pressure. If themeans of outflow mitigation is manually actuated, the beveragecontainer's outflow mitigation device must be actuated closed uponcompletion of filling in order to prevent leakage.

As depicted in FIG. 7, when the beverage container (81) is brought outof physical contact with the fluid delivery assembly (83), the seal (82,87) between the two is broken and the beverage container can pouredfrom, drunk from, or employed as desired.

Advantages

From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodimentsof our method and apparatus for the bottom-up filling of beveragecontainers become evident:

-   -   (a) Countertop area is used more efficiently as compared to        conventional post-mix and tap-type beverage dispensers.    -   (b) The vertical profile required of beverage dispensing        hardware is effectively reduced to zero, allowing beverage        service installations in previously unfeasible locations.    -   (c) Engineered outflow mitigation devices can fine-tune flow        into beverage containers, controlling foam and turbulence from        container to container.    -   (d) As the beverage container is solidly coupled to the fluid        delivery assembly during filling, there is little risk of        spillage, even given a bumpy or jerky reference frame.    -   (e) Passage of gas-phase fluids through the outflow mitigation        device can effectively agitate beverages, obviating the need for        mechanical stirring.

Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

Accordingly, the reader will see that the method and apparatus for thebottom-up filling of beverage containers

-   -   can be used to save countertop space and in turn allow beverage        dispensing hardware to enter into previously inaccessible and        impractical locations;    -   can be used to fill as well as mix a beverage in a single feed        with the same set of hardware;    -   and, due to its robustness and small number of moving parts,        shift the role of beverage service away from bartenders and        toward end consumers.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment but merely asproviding illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments.

For example and not limitation, the filling opening of the beveragecontainer may be contained on a bottom surface or a side surface of thecontainer. In some embodiments, there may be one or more openings forreceiving fluid. These openings may all be on the bottom surface of thevessel. Optionally, they may be only on the side. Optionally, they maybe both on the bottom and the side. The present invention is not limitedto any particular shape or size of the beverage container. The beveragefluid filling apparatus maybe a stationary system or it may be a systemin motion. By way of example and not limitation, the filling apparatusmay have a spoke and wheel configuration with a filler at the end ofeach spoke to engaged to one or more beverage container. Like alazy-susan, the wheel configuration allows different beverages to berotated to the desired location for easy access for a user. Others mayuse a conveyor belt design to allow beverage containers to be moved forease of service or merely for entertainment value. Optionally, a singleopening into the beverage container may be sized and/or shaped toreceive one or more nozzles or fluid inputs. By way of nonlimitingexample, the opening may be oval or racetrack shaped and receive anozzle of matching shape that seals against the walls of the opening.The nozzle may have a septum that provides input from one liquid fromone half of the nozzle and a different fluid or beverage from the otherhalf. Optionally, the nozzle may have a coaxial configuration with atube in the center and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube. Itshould be understood that the nozzle or input is not limited to anyparticular cross-sectional shape. It may be circular, triangular,square, polygonal, hexagonal, other shaped, and/or combinations of theabove.

Thus, the scope of the embodiment should be determined by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents, rather than and shown.

1. A beverage container, comprising: a vessel defining an interiorvolume with a hole or permeable channel penetrating through a wall ofthe vessel, with said hole or permeable channel distinct from anexisting mouth of the vessel and located beneath the free surface offluid in said beverage container when full; an outflow mitigationapparatus fitted to said hole or permeable channel.
 2. The beveragecontainer of claim 1 wherein the outflow mitigation apparatus comprisesof a duckbill valve.
 3. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein theoutflow mitigation apparatus comprises of an umbrella valve.
 4. Thebeverage container of claim 1 wherein the outflow mitigation apparatuscomprises of a permeable membrane.
 5. The beverage container of claim 1wherein the beverage container includes more than one hole or permeablechannel and at least one outflow mitigation apparatus per hole orpermeable channel.
 6. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein theoutflow mitigation apparatus has a first configuration to receive fluidwhen engaged with a fluid delivery apparatus and a second configurationto prevent fluid leakage when disengaged from a fluid deliveryapparatus.
 7. A fluid delivery system for use with one or more beveragecontainers, the system comprising: a beverage container defining aninterior volume with a hole or permeable channel penetrating through awall of the beverage container, with said hole or permeable channeldistinct from an existing mouth of the beverage container and locatedbeneath the level of fluid in the beverage container when full; aleakage prevention member for sealing with the impermeable outer surfaceof said beverage container; a fluid delivery assembly comprising of oneor more passages through which pressurized fluid can be brought into theinterior volume said beverage container, where the passage is in fluidcommunication with at least one fluid source.
 8. The fluid deliverysystem of claim 7 comprising a plurality of beverage containers andfluid delivery assemblies, sealed to one another and brought into fluidcommunication with one another through said holes or permeable channels,permitting flow of fluids into said interior volumes of said beveragecontainers.
 9. The fluid delivery system of claim 7 in which said fluiddelivery assembly is oriented beneath the bottom of said beveragecontainer.
 10. The fluid delivery system of claim 7 in which gas-phasefluids are flowed through said fluid delivery assembly and employed inagitating the contents of said beverage container.
 11. The fluiddelivery system of claim 7 in which, when the container is decoupled,allows independent operation of said beverage container through saidexisting mouth without leakage through said hole or permeable channel.12. A beverage container filling method comprising: providing a beveragecontainer having an opening distinct from a mouth of the container fromwhich a user drinks or pours the beverage, wherein the opening isconfigured to allow fluid to enter but prevent fluid from leaking outthe opening once inside the beverage container; filling of said beveragecontainer through the opening distinct from the mouth, without leakage.13. The method of claim 13 wherein filling comprises of bottom upfilling.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein filling comprises of sidefilling.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the opening is locatedbeneath a free surface of fluid that is delivered into the beveragecontainer.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein filling comprises ofintroducing fluid below a level of fluid inside the beverage container.17. The method of claim 13, wherein mechanical force is developedbetween the beverage container and said fluid delivery assembly in orderto develop a seal therebetween, allowing bottom-up filling of saidbeverage container without leakage.
 18. The method of claim 13 whereinthe filling occurs in a pressurized manner to induce fluid mixing insidethe container.
 19. The method of claim 13 wherein the filling occurs ina directional manner to induce fluid mixing inside the container. 20.The method of claim 13 further comprising minimizes frothing of thefluid by introducing fluid into the container at a level beneath a freesurface of fluid already in the container.